Benefit awareness award attracts institute's support

Published by 24publishing for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Local Government, Universal Credit

An award seeking to showcase the best ways housing associations and councils are communicating welfare reform changes to residents has drawn the support from one of the sector's top bodies.

The Welfare Aware award, launched by payment collection specialist allpay and 24housing magazine, opened for nominations earlier this month and has already seen 25 providers register their interest.

The award is open to all councils, housing associations, ALMOs and TMOs across Great Britain with the winner and a highly commended entry receiving a day's free training in utilising social media to engage with customers. These days will be provided by our communication experts NS Design and Red Rocket Media.

Sam Lister, a policy and practice officer at the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), is one of six judges assessing the nominations alongside one of the architects of Universal Credit Deven Ghelani - a welfare and employment specialist at the Centre for Social Justice.

Gavin Smart, the CIH's director of policy and practice, said the award will highlight the most innovative strategies housing providers have worked hard to develop.

He said: “Welfare reform is going to have a huge impact on both housing providers and tenants. Good communication will be crucial to ensure residents are fully aware of all the changes and the support on offer to help them adapt. This award will highlight the most innovative and effective strategies housing providers have worked hard to develop and enable other organisations to learn from them. CIH is delighted to be part of the judging process.”